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There’s no better way to feel the pulse of Southeast Asia than by drifting on the Mekong, a river that has shaped empires, nourished civilisations, and still feeds the souls of Cambodia and Vietnam today. On a 9-day, 8-night New Discovery Tour with CF Mekong by CroisiEurope, travellers are offered a cruise and a cultural immersion that flows from the ancient temples of Siem Reap to the vibrant bustle of Ho Chi Minh City.

CF Mekong by CroisiEurope operates an intimate 38-metre 14-cabin teak riverboat that combines French flair with local charm. The atmosphere is relaxed, the cabins are compact and well-appointed, and every window offers a kaleidoscope of river life. The many daily excursions off the ship help to make this cruise unforgettable.

Happy welcoming staff

Each day brings a new adventure. In the Cambodian countryside, we cycled past lotus fields and waved to children balancing on ox carts. At the floating villages of Tonle Sap, we quietly paddled kayaks through canals where homes, schools, and shops drift gently on the water. In Phnom Penh, history spoke loudly from the golden spires of the Royal Palace to the sombre reminders at the Killing Fields and T21, the genocide museum.

Excursions are hosted by expert, bilingual English, French, Cambodian, and Vietnamese-speaking guides, storytellers who bring the past and present to life, and every experience is hands-on. One afternoon, we joined a cooking class, where we learned the delicate art of crafting Cambodian spring rolls and spicy green mango salad. Onboard, local dancers came aboard for a night of traditional music and Apsara dance under the stars.

As the boat entered Vietnam, the scenery shifted. The Mekong Delta became a network of green tributaries and lively river towns. We explored the markets of Cai Be, tasted tropical fruits straight from the orchard, and glided through shaded canals in wooden sampans. Life here is lived on the water, and visitors are welcomed into it, not as tourists but as curious guests.

Dining onboard is a celebration. Meals combine refined French techniques with Southeast Asian ingredients — think lemongrass-infused soups, delicate fish amok, and tropical fruit tarts. The staff is warm and attentive, often joining guests on excursions or sharing a laugh over dinner. Mitch was our hardworking purser who was constantly on the run but had enough time to explain the inner workings of the TT2, including safety, security, and all the many inquiries by inquisitive passengers.

By the time we reached Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), we’d travelled through centuries of history, from Angkor’s sacred temples to the massive floating grain, sand, and cargo barges plying the Delta. The RV Toum Tiou11 and the Mekong have showcased stories, tastes, experiences, and magical and unforgettable memories.